While much of our attention these days has been directed toward videos and other visual media, there’s plenty of worthwhile info to be found in the age-old format of books, whether printed, digitized, or recorded for audio consumption. To make our case, we’ve put together a short list of non-photography books that can be applied to the photography industry and significantly impact our entire approach as professional photographers. You’ll find references to the books listed below peppered throughout our Photography Business Training System, and we’ve applied them to our own journey here in the studio. Take a minute to browse through the following titles and answer the challenge to give one or more these books a try to see how they will influence your perspective as a working photographer, or even as a person in general.
5 Business Books for Photographers
Here’s our list of business book recommendations for photographers.
1. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss with Tahl Raz
At first glance, it might seem like a leap to take hostage negotiation strategies and apply them to working with photography clients, but author Chris Voss’s skillset adapts perfectly well in either scenario. A former FBI hostage negotiator, Voss shares tips for creating trust and transforming “others” into collaborators.
As professional photographers, a significant percentage of what we do is provide value for our clients, and the tips communicated in this book are designed to win over your clients and help them see the value that you’re offering. The stakes might not be life-threatening, but if you want to build a successful business, you’ll need solid negotiating skills. “Never Split the Difference” is a great resource to help in that area.
Available Formats on Amazon: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback
2. Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal by Oren Klaff
Author Oren Klaff brings his real-world credentials the masses with this clever method for successfully pitching ideas in any business situation, including across from clients in a photography studio. One of Klaff’s best qualities is his ability to demystify the “art of the pitch” and break it down into an actionable framework, also known as the STRONG method of pitching: 1) Setting the Frame, 2) Telling the Story, 3) Revealing the Intrigue, 4) Offering the Prize, 5) Nailing the Hookpoint, and 5) Getting a Decision.
“Pitch Anything” offers another great building block in your resources for improving your ability to communicate with clients and grow your business.
Available Formats on Amazon: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover
3. The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism by Olivia Fox Cabane
Whether we’re directing a large group during a photo session or making a case for why our clients should choose us for a session in the first place, it takes a certain amount of charisma to convince others that we’re worth working with. Luckily, charisma is not a magical force that we may or may not have. In this book, Olivia Fox Cabane challenges the idea that “charisma is a fundamental, inborn quality” that people are either born with or not. The reason that this is important is that we don’t have to allow any particular predisposition to determine our ability to engage others. Instead, we can learn to implement specific practices covered in this book to build our own charisma around our existing personality. In other words, we can still be who we are and appeal to others in a way that influences them to want to follow our lead.
Like Oren Klaff in “Pitch Anything,” Cabane does a great job of drawing back the curtain on charisma and breaking down its clearly identifiable components. As a result, we can more easily develop our own ability to be charismatic.
Available Formats on Amazon: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback
4. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
You’ve likely noticed a theme by this point. All of the books on this list break down what it takes to influence and inspire others so that they’ll find value in what it is you’re offering and want to become a collaborator. This time around, Simon Sinek shares a concept he made famous time and again via Ted Talks and Tik Tok, and that is to find purpose in the work we do so that we can better understand and communicate its value and help others do the same.
As photographers, understanding our clients’ “why” can allow us to truly provide them with value, and that in turn gives our work purpose. This is what separates the best photographers from the rest. “Start with Why” notes how well-known leaders like “Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, and the Wright Brothers had little in common, but they all started with WHY. They realized that people won’t truly buy into a product, service, movement, or idea until they understand the WHY behind it.” Listen to what Sinek has to say on the subject and see if it doesn’t transform your own understanding of why it is you do what you do.
Available Formats on Amazon: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback
5. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
A self-improvement guru, Dale Carnegie first published this well-known book way back in 1936. Obviously, as noted by its presence on this short list of must-read books, it’s as relevant today as it ever was.
The title of the book is about as straightforward as they come, and Carnegie delivers on its promise by providing examples and stories that highlight specific principles to be followed in pursuit of the title’s goal. You can read the first chapter of the book right in its description on Amazon to get a feel for the rest of the content inside.
Of all the books on this list, this one’s the oldest, but it’s also one of the most interesting reads in this genre. Give it a go and see for yourself. Our guess is that it’ll end up on your list of books that you recommend to others as well.
Available Formats on Amazon: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback
Additional Recommendations
Here are a few more great reads to amplify your business.
- $100M Offers: How to Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No – Alex Hormozi
- The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business – Charles Duhigg
- Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking – Malcom Gladwell
- Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator – Ryan Holiday
- Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen – Donald Miller
- How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships – Leil Lowndes
If you’re looking for additional resources to help you on the technical side of photography, don’t miss our list of the 21 best photography books to help you become a better photographer.
